During the 19th century, college education in the United States was offered largely for free. In conversations among politicians, college administrators, educators, parents and students, college affordability seems to be seen as a purely financial issue—it’s all about money. Early higher education: A public goodDuring the 19th century, college education in the United States was offered largely for free. This free tuition model had to do with perceptions about the role of higher education: College education was considered a public good. Stanford University, which was founded on the premise of offering college education free of charge to California residents, was an example of the former.